State of New York Archives: on Energy & Oil

Andrew Cuomo:
Led multi-state effort to lower carbon emissions by 45%

Governor Cuomo led a multi-state effort to lower carbon emissions by 45 percent through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which also provided $340 over the past three years for clean energy measures, including $100 million to encourage
community-driven smart growth and sustainability plans. Likewise, under Governor Cuomo's leadership, state facilities will lower their energy use by 20 percent, saving taxpayers $50-60 million per year and avoiding as much as
180,000 tons in greenhouse gas emissions annually.

Governor Cuomo also championed a landmark investment in the clean energy economy by launching a $1 billion NY Green Bank to stimulate private sector financing and to facilitate the financing
of creditworthy clean-energy projects in New York State. In addition, the Governor guided another $1 billion through the NY-Sun initiative to promote the wide scale deployment of solar projects throughout the state.

Rob Astorino:
Tap into New York's vast energy resources

While Governor Cuomo claims New York is "Open for Business," Rob Astorino will make it a reality by tapping into New York's vast energy resources. He'll approve clean and reliable natural gas exploration on day one,
so we can lower electric rates, improve air quality, create tens of thousands of new jobs, and bring billions of dollars in new revenue to this state.

Rob Astorino will rebuild our infrastructure and work with the private sector to form public-private partnerships, bringing manufacturing and high tech industries back to New York.

And just like he did in Westchester, Rob Astorino will attack high property taxes by providing real mandate relief to our local governments.

The first challenge is to reduce carbon emissions. The cheapest, fastest, and most productive way to do this is to use less carbon. We can do this is on a large-scale by adopting a public works project to retrofit and reinsulate commercial & residential
buildings across the state. Some of the biggest emitters of carbon in New York City, for example, are old edifices like the Chrysler building, whose aged and leaky infrastructure means it uses far more energy than need be.

The second task is to adopt
clean sources of energy. At the moment our system is rigged towards fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas. An intricate system of public subsidies keeps dirty sources of energy artificially cheap, which means that companies and individuals will keep
relying on them. We must revamp these incentives to promote renewable sources: solar, wind, and hydro. California, for example, has changed its policies so that it is now cheaper to buy solar energy in the state than it is to buy coal.

Zephyr Teachout:
Ban fracking; it contaminates our groundwater

We should ban fracking, clear and simple. Officially known as "hydraulic fracturing," fracking is a method of drilling for natural gas that risks contaminating our groundwater and endangering our environment with chemicals and radioactive elements.
Governor Cuomo has embarked on a lengthy and much-delayed process to study whether fracking can be conducted safely. But the Governor's approach misses a key point: even if it were deemed safe, fracking would take us in the exact opposite direction
from where we need to go. It would dramatically lower the price of natural gas and ensure that companies keep opting for fossil fuels over clean sources of energy.

There is no time for half-measures. We can promote clean energy and invigorate
the economy simultaneously. Arguments implying there is an intractable trade-off between the two are designed to favor the incumbent companies that benefit from an economy centered around fossil fuels. We must do far more.

Kirsten Gillibrand:
Fracking must avoid chemicals that harm drinking water

The two candidates argued over whether to allow the development of upstate New York's shale gas formations by hydraulic fracturing--or "hydro-fracking"--which is now being considered by the Cuomo administration.

Gillibrand said natural gas exploration
could be an economic boon, but first it has to be determined if the chemicals used in the process threaten drinking water.

Long was full-throated in support of development. "All these concerns that you cite are just phony concerns," Long said.

Source: New York Newsday on 2012 N. Y. Senate debate
Oct 17, 2012

Wendy Long:
Develop upstate natural gas via fracking

The two candidates argued over whether to allow the development of upstate New York's shale gas formations by hydraulic fracturing--or "hydro-fracking"--which is now being considered by the Cuomo administration.

Gillibrand said natural gas exploration
could be an economic boon, but first it has to be determined if the chemicals used in the process threaten drinking water.

Long was full-throated in support of development. "All these concerns that you cite are just phony concerns," Long said.

A: On the energy front: The price of gasoline, where it is, the thermometer is going up, up, up. I don't think Sen. Gillibrand is doing anything on the energy front.
She doesn't have a plan to address gas prices. As far as I can see she is just going along with the Obama agenda which is handing out federal dollars for people who are making solar panels and then engaging in massive layoffs.
You know, vetoing the Keystone pipeline is not a good plan. That would have created jobs and American energy independence.
So that's another issue where I think we're heading in the wrong direction.

Wendy Long:
Keystone Pipeline delays are heavy hand of regulation

Wendy Long made her first public appearance as an announced candidate for U.S. Senate, at a dinner honoring opponent Bob Turner. "I'm basically running on the economy and jobs and the skyrocketing national debt and the failure of
Gillibrand and other members of the liberal establishment to get the budget under control," she said of her campaign platform. She also mentioned the Keystone Pipeline, and the "heavy hand" of government regulation.